Our only chance of winning this series is
A) if we are able to defend Howard post isos straight up, staying with the shooters, and the pick’n’roll without over-helping. Force them to beat us with Howard creating his shots inside and their perimeter players pulling shots off the bounce.
B) win the transition game and make things even rebounding-wise.

I mean, he’s certainly not a stopper, but do you honestly think he’s worse defensively than House? Because he isn’t. In fact, I’m pretty sure it was his defensive improvement to the passable level that kept him playing decent minutes for Orlando this season (and saved his roster spot).

Is Pietrus really that much more offensively limited than Redick? He shoots a higher 2-point percentage and almost as good on 3-pointers. I haven’t seen that many Orlando games, but Pietrus was a nice piece on that good Golden State team a few years ago, and he did not then strike me as “limited” as a player in the sense that someone like Redick is. Frankly I’d be more concerned with him on the court than Redick.

Otherwise all good points. As opposed to the Chicago series, I’m hopeful that these games will be entertaining because of the mix of styles and the quality of play, rather than just the closeness of the games.

Dwight Howard tries to block every shot going to the basket. We need to do a better job of seeing Howard as we go to the basket. He will leave his man and we need to find his man rolling to the basket. In other words, attract Howard and dish to the man he’s been defending. Also, we need to throw up fakes at him. He will go for them. In Game 1 we should be able, if we do the above, get him in early foul trouble. If he adjusts to this during the series we’ve got him thinking about what to do. A basketball player who thinks is a bad basketball player.

Celts lost by only two…despite obvious foul not being called at the end.

Magic wanted the win much worse than Celts, who clearly did not to go all out to try to win it….KG sat out 2nd half.

He could`ve played if it had mattered.

so that they can throw Davis at Howard if (and when) Perkins gets in foul trouble. He was in trouble covering Noah and Brad Miller. There’s no way he’ll survive the whole series. Bill Walker would (physically) be an ideal player to guard Rashard Lewis, but he isn’t good enough. Tony Allen is too short, and I don’t know if I like the idea of making Pierce chase him around all night.

On the plus side, we have 6 fouls of Mikki Moore to use on DH.

concede the points to howard and don’t contest everything, perk. contain the outside. keep the ball miving on offense and maybe they get tired.

Rondo’s currently going a pretty good job of containing himself. I don’t know what to expect from him anymore. Perk’s shoulder needs to hold up. Barkley needs to keep talking and giving us board material. Then all shall be fine.

It’ll be interesting to see how well Pietrus does defensively against Pierce. I’m more concerned about his defense there than on Ray.

I think the key to this series is Rondo. Yes, Howard is a force but Rondo’s speed and penetration will cause problems for the Magic. Alston cannot keep up with him. He could also draw Howard in some foul trouble with his penetration. RR will kick out a lot of passes to the perimeter where Ray and Eddie can do some damage. I also expect Pierce to penetrate more, causing the defense to collapse and free up more perimeter shots. Sure RR will land on his ass a few times thanks to Howard, but RR is persistent, Howard will be on the bench in foul trouble.

I honestly think this will be an easier series for the C’s. The two games they lost to the Magic this season without KG were close. Van Gundy could never handle the intensity we just experienced in the Bulls series and I fully expect him to meltdown. Call me crazy, but I think the C’s take the first 2 games at home, split the next two in FLA and then take Game 5 at home. Yes, the C’s in 5.

Finally, and I do not mean to beat this to death, but something about the KG story bothers me. All the quotes so far point to KG not returning to the playoffs. But, does anyone recall a recent comment to an ESPN reporter (female..what is her name?) where he stated that if KG asked to play, he would say yes? This quote has been bugging me because it suggests that KG’s injury may not be serious enough to keep him from playing? Anyone recall this? I know KG is a warrior, but do you think folks close to KG outside the C’s organization (e.g agent) is advising him not to play because of the implications for the rest of his career if reinjures himself? I am fully prepared to play the string out without him, but I am just wondering what everyone else thinks about this.

The “he” I am referring to in my post is Ainge. I thought he was the one who told the reporter it is up to KG. Sorry.

Limit second shots by Orlando on the same possesion. Limit wide open 3’s and play controlled Defense and hopefully this slows their offense. Our offense will need the extra pass down low first to avoid Dwight blocking and changing shots. Then go outside if that is what they give us. Celtics in 7.

… I think that Howard would EAT Mikki Moore alive!

That would be a sight to behold _ Mikki guarding D. Howard!!!! :)

The players we know will give the effort. We know the peril if Perk grabs quick fouls and we know the peril (the shooters) if we double Howard. So, Thibs, this is why you get the big bucks. You figure it out.

It all revolves around Perkins and defending Rashard Lewis.

I don’t mind Orlando taking threes so long as Rafer Alston is the one taking them. The more Alston shoots, the better off the Celtica are.

Get Howard in foul trouble and this will be a short series. We can do it by relentless penetration. Rondo with the first team and Steph with the second team. If we keep Howard off the court, then Perk may avoid foul trouble. We also have Mikki Ganga Moore and his 6 fouls. Let’s just hope he does not use them up in 2 minutes of play. Folks, the Bulls series was a blessing in disguise. The pace will be a little slower, which is to our advantage. The Bulls also tested our mental toughness and we prevailed. I expect a big series from Eddie since our three point shooters are going to get a lot of looks. Another X-factor will be Van Gundy. He overcoaches his team and several of his players have acknowledged that he makes them anxious when the going gets tough.

As to Howard, the bigs should ask Bill Russell what it was like to guard Wilt. Bill beat him every time in the Finals. A lot of that had to do with his desire and heart. Let Howard get his 20/10 a night. Just do not let the other guys beat you.